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Spring into Spring Symptom Free!

While most people gratefully
welcome the longer days
and warmer weather of
spring, people with hay fever often
dread the itchy eyes, runny nose, and
sneezing that comes with the season’s
pollens and mold spores.

What causes my allergies to flare
up in the spring?
Pollen is the most
likely cause. Your immune system has
mistakenly learned to remember the
pollen released by various plants as
potentially harmful, and responds with
the familiar allergic symptoms. Each
species of plant releases pollen at about
the same time every year. Trees are
usually the first plants to release pollen,
usually in the early spring. Grasses come
next in the spring and early summer.
Weeds generally release their pollen in
late summer and fall. People with seasonal
rhinitis are often allergic to more
than one type of pollen.

What can influence the severity
of the allergy season?
Weather can
influence the timing and severity of the
allergy season. A mild winter often
leads to a more severe pollen season.
The grass season varies the most. If
the spring is warmer and wetter than
usual, then more grass grows, which
leads to a more severe season during
the late spring and summer. However,
rain can have benefits, as well. For
instance, rain can wash pollen that has
already been released out of the air.

How can I tell whether I have
allergies or just a cold?
Generally,
allergies last longer than a cold. If
you notice a pattern in which you experience
the same symptoms at the
same time year after year, you likely
have allergies. Frequent sneezing and
itchy, watery eyes are more often associated
with an allergy rather than a cold.
Also, a clear nasal discharge suggests
that you have allergies. When you have
a cold, the mucus is usually greenish
or yellowish. Sometimes it can be
hard to tell the difference between
seasonal allergies, a cold, or another
condition. That’s when skin tests
and an evaluation by a doctor may
be necessary.

Trees are usually the first plants to release pollen, usually
in the early spring.

What is a skin test? How does it
work?
A skin test detects the presence
of antibodies to a particular allergen.
A positive test suggests that you may
have an allergy to the particular substance.
However, your doctor will
review your skin-test results and your
medical history and will conduct a physical
exam to confirm which allergens
are causing your symptoms. A skin test
is performed by first placing a drop of
allergen extract on the skin; then the skin
is pricked with a needle. If you have a
positive reaction to the extract, a red welt
will appear on your skin. If you do not
react to the extract, you are most likely
not allergic to the substance.

How are seasonal allergies treated?
There are three main strategies for treating
seasonal allergies:

` Avoidance
Although it can be difficult
to completely avoid pollen, there
are several steps you can take to reduce
your exposure. First, keep your windows
closed and use air conditioning
– even on days that are not extremely
warm. Next, avoid outdoor activities
during peak pollen times. Grass pollens
are most prevalent during afternoon and
early evening, while ragweed pollens
are most prevalent during early midday.
Pollen counts are commonly high during
dry, windy afternoons. Finally,
take a shower and change your clothes
after spending time outside. A shower
washes off the pollen that sticks to your
skin or hair. Keep your outside clothes
in the laundry room and away from
your bedroom.

` Medication
Antihistamines can reduce
runny nose, sneezing, and itchy,
watery eyes. These are available both
over the counter and as prescriptions.
Antihistamine eye drops, also available
by prescription, can help itchy
eyes. Another type of medicine, called
montelukast, that can be used for nasal
allergy symptoms blocks a molecule
called leukotriene. It may be beneficial
for some people. In many cases
of hay fever, prescription nasal steroid
sprays are used to decrease nasal allergy
symptoms. You should talk to
your doctor about what medications
are best for you.

` Immunotherapy
If avoidance and
medications fail to control your symptoms,
immunotherapy can usually help.
Also known as allergy shots, immunotherapy
consists of a series of injections
containing the allergen that triggers
your symptoms. Over time, the shots
reduce your sensitivity to the allergens.
Immunotherapy usually begins with
injections of a very weak solution of
the allergen given once or twice a
week. The strength of the solution is
gradually increased. Once the strongest
dose is reached, shots continue
about once a month until the allergy
symptoms are controlled, often for
three to five years. There are now
newer approaches that allow the dose
of allergy shots to be built up much
more quickly; however, the total
course of therapy is still usually three
to five years.